Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen and emissary of the Chabad movement in the United Arab Emirates, has been missing since midday on Thursday. The Mossad and the Israeli National Security Council (NSC) confirmed the opening of an investigation, favoring the possibility of a terrorist act. Israeli security services are now expressing fear that he may have been assassinated.
“An intensive investigation has been launched,” said a joint statement from the Prime Minister’s Office and Mossad, specifying that “Israeli intelligence and security services are fully mobilized.”
An Israeli woman living near the rabbi told i24NEWS: “He and his wife were very involved in the community. They organized events, Shabbat evenings… They are really calm and kind people. We are under the shock because it is a secure place. If there was a kidnapping, it probably did not take place in our residence, which is equipped with cameras everywhere. An Emirati journalist contacted by i24NEWS urged caution: “We are currently verifying the details. The most important thing for Israel is not to point an accusing finger at the Emirates.”
The media Iran International, close to the Iranian opposition, also reports this disappearance and fears of a kidnapping or assassination.
Israel's National Security Council had issued a Level 3 (medium threat) travel alert for the Emirates, warning of “terrorist activity posing a real risk to Israelis staying in or visiting the country.”
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